Sheet-delivery mechanism for printing machines



Sept. 1, 1925. 1,551,678

F. C. MARQUARQT SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 9, 1922 Sept. 1,1925. 1,551,678

F. C. MARQUARDT SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINT Filed Feb. 9, 1922 ING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. '1, 1925. 1,551,678

F. C. MARQUARDT I SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 9, 1922" 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 II-El \[I A IIIIlIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFEIIIII m ililililil lf gifili lll I. I III- n. A IlliIlIlIlllIlllI Sept. 1, 1925.

F. c. MARQUARDT Sm: DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 9, 192g 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 mvsuran to ensure the separation f the sheet from Patented S t, 1' 19 5 I j j UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE;

' nS HEET-DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES.

Appllcation filed February 9, 1922.

To all whom it may concern.

,Be it known that I, FRANK C. MAK- QUARDT, a citizen of the United States, residing at the borough of Brooklyn, in the city of New York, county of Kings and State ofNew York, have invented certain new' and useful Improvements in Sheet-Delivery Mechanisms I for Printing Machines, of which the following is a specification, referencefbeing had therein to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof. c 1

My invention relates to sheet delivery mechanisms for printing machines, and moreparticularly to a type thereof adapted for use upon rotary printing machines.

In a' machine, embodying my invention, each sheet as itreceives its impression from the printing couple, elling gripper mechanism and conveyed thereby and delivered to a collecting table upon which succeeding sheets are stacked, there being a suflicient elapsed interval between the making of the impression and the delivery of the printedsheet to said table to permit a sufiicient drying or oxidation of the ink to avoid likelihood of olfsetting from one'sheet to another, and thus permit the use of insert and ofi'set'sheets to be dispensed'with' VVhile the sheet is being conveyed from the printing couple tothecollecting table, itis subject to no pressures and has no extended areas contacting with the conveying means which might tend to smut the imprint. n r

The gripper mechanism above referred to consists of a sequence of bars carried by a continuously travelling belt or chain and so spaced. apart as with the gripper pression cylinder, suitable means being provided for actuating the gripper fingers associated with each of said bars, in a timely manner to engage the sheet at the impress to successively cooperate sion cylinder and to release the sheetat the collecting table, a disengaging mechanism being en'iployed ad acent the gripper fingers is received by a traymechanism of the-i111 Serial No. 535,161.

imately the proper position to ensurethe des1red neat stackmg of succeeding sheets. i

The collecting table is so constructed that it may be lowered from time to time as the stack of sheets accumulates thereon,

there being grouped about the point of the release of the sheet by the gr pper mechanism, automatically acting straightening devices so constructed and arranged as to move away from thestack during the deliveryot' a sheet to the table, to provide the proper clearance, and subsequently engage the edges of the sheet and bring them in substantial acco'rd'with the edges of the sheets of the adjacent portion ..of the V stack. These straightening devices operate only adjacent the top of the stack, the collecting table having movement away from them when adjusting it'to accommodate it to 'the in crease in the height of the stack.

While the stack itself is lowered manually, I provide means whereby. power may be applied thereto to restore it to its high position When a stack of printed sheets has been removed therefrom and it is desired to start a new stack. c

.The invention consists primarily in a delivery mechanism for printing machines embodying therein the combination with a printing couple, of a collecting table spaced away therefrom, a eonveyer mechanism in cluding therein endless chains of platen bars carried thereby, gripper fingers associated with each platen bar, guiding means for said sprocket wheels adjacent said printing couple, sprocket wheels below said first named sprocket wheels and adjacent oppo site ends of said table, and intermediate sprocket wheels, whereby said chains have an upper direct reach, a lower return reach,

and a substantially horizontal reach parchains consisting of a plurality I gers operative as said chains are passing from said lower return to said upper direct reach, and as said chains are passing from said reach parallel with the table to said return reach respectively, and means whereby lineal traverse is imparted to said chains in synchronism with a peripheral traverse of the members of the printing couple; and in such other novel features of construction and combination of partsas are hereinafter set forth and described, and more iarticularly pointed out in'the claims heret appended.

l 'iterring to the drawings,

1 is a view of a delivery mechanism embody n my invention, with a portion of the print couple shown in connection therewith Fig. 2 a side view the portion of collecting table;

Fig. 3 is an end View thereof;

Fig. is a perspective view of one of the ripper bars and its associated gripper and ipper actuating means; and

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on 5f of Fig. 3.

like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

in the embodiment ofmy invention shown in the drawings, 1 have indicated a portion of a form or plate cylinder at 10, and a 301'- tion of an impression cylinder associated therewith at 11, the details of other portions of the printi machine being immaterial to my present 1 ention, it being practicable to use the delivery mechanism of my invention with ei her a perfecting or a nonperfecting press because of the small area of the portions of the delivery mechanism which en gage the sheet at any time between the making of an impression and the delivery of a sheet to the collecting table.

Adjacent the printingcouple is a shaft 12 having sprocket wheels 18 adjacent the op posite ends thereof, said shaft also carrying a wheel 1% in mesh with a gear wheel carried by said impression cylinder, through which gearing the delivery mechanism is actuated in synchronism with the printing couple.

hlounted in suitable frames spaced away from said printing couple a sufficient distance to secure the desired drying action of the ink, is avertically movable collecting table 15 which will be more fully described hereinafter, adjacent which table is a shaft 16 counter to the shaft 12 and carrying adjacent the opposite ends th reof, sprocket wheels 17.

Passing about the pairs of sprocket wheels 1-3 and 17 are two continuous sprocket chains 18 and 19. For convenience of expression be considered as having an upper direct reach between the two sets of upon a larger scale of bid mechanism ad acent the the line sprocket wheels 13, and 17, adapted to corn vey printed sheets from the printing cou is toward said table, a horizontal reach etween the sprocket wheels 17, and about sprocket wheels 20, and extending parallel with and above the collecting table 15, but below the direct reach and a lower return reach passing over the guide sprocket wheels 21 and 22.

he portion of the direct reach adjacent the table 15 is arranged on a 'decline as shown, so as to bring the horizontal reach closely adjacent the point of delivery of a sheet upon said table, guide sprockets 23 carried by a shaft 2e being provided at the top of the declining portionof said reach.

Carried by the chains 18-and l9v at spaced intervals, which are determined by the circumference of the impression or other cylinder from which the printed sheet-sare collected, are a plurality of gripper. mechanisms, each of which is identical in construction and mode of operation with every other, so that a description of but one of such mechanisms vis essential.

Each of the grippermechanisms above referred to consists of end fittings 25and 26 securet to opposite links ofthe chains 18 and 19 in a manner to have. no movement in relation to said links. Carried-by said fittings, below the inner face of the chain, is a fixed platen rod 27 having an elevated platen 28 which is in, or slightly above, the outer face of the chain. 'Pivotally mounted in thevfittings 25 and 26 is-an oscillatory shaft 29 parallel with the rod 27 and carrying a plurality of gripper fingers 3O adaptedto operatively engage theplaten 28 upon said rod 27. Acting upon theshaft-29 are torsion springs 31 adapted-to .normallyengage the gripper fingers with the gripper platen Q The gripper rod 29 has, adjacent the opposite ends thereof,.crank arms 32 carrying anti-friction rollers as shown, which rollers areadapted to engage fixed cams 33 adjacent the impression-cdinder 11, and fixed cams 34; adjacent the rear edge of the table 15 in the direction of movement of the horizontal reach of said chain. In this manner the gripper fingers will be automatically opened and closed to receive the sheet from said impression cylinder, and will be opened when said gripper mechanism approaches the limit of its movement above the table 15, while it is in the horizontal reach of the sprocket chain above said table, the printed sheet being firmly held by said grippers at all times between the closing of the gripper fingers and their opening to permit the printed sheet to be delivered to the table.

To ensure the proper turning of the sheet as it approaches the table 15, I provide the shaft 16 with a sequence of wheels 35, the peripheries of said wheels having therein a loo recess 35 adapted to, receive the gripper mechanisms and keep the plane of the gripper platen 28 substantially flush with the perimeter of said wheels, thus causing the paper to pass about said wheels with a wide bend to prevent any possible mutilation or wrinkling of the sheet, the speed of the gripper mechanism being sufficiently high to prevent the straightening of the sheet until it is in substantially its entirety, above the table 15.

To support the paper while it is being conveyed from the printing'couple to adja cent the Wheels 35, I provide a sequence of movable supports, preferably consisting of fine wires 36' passing about the driving ro1ler 37 and guide rollers 38 and 39, the

latter of which is adjacent thev printing couple.

These wires 36 are actuated at the same peripheral speedas the chains 18 and 19by meansof the sprocket and chain drive 40 between the roller 37' and the shaft 16.

' By this construction, I not only avoid rubbing contact between the wires 36 and the printed sheet, but by using round wires, secure a contact area between same and the sheet. so smallas to permit contact of atmospheric air with substantially the entire surface of the sheet and avoid any possible offsetting from the sheet to the said wires which are non-absorptive.

The distance between the shaft '12 and the shaft 16 is sufliciently great to ensure a substantial drying of the ink or a sufficient oxidationl'hereof, to' permit the freshly printed surface of the sheet to be laid upon the preceding sheet on the'table 15, without anylikelihood of offsetting from one sheet to the other, and this condition prevails whether the delivery witha perfecting or non-perfecting press.

To ensure the desired tautness in the wires 36, I provide atakeup and guide roller 41 carried by adjustable links .4t2-ar ranged upon opposite-sides of the inachinc and each acted upon by a'screw -13. To prevent sagging of the chains, I provide upon opposite sides of the machine, vertically extending guides 44 positioned between the guide sprockets 20 and 21, and similar guides 45 extending "between the sprockets l3 and 23.

Mounted above the horizontalreach of the v chains 18 and 19 is a crank shaft 46 carrying a plurality of light presser fingers 47 adapted to be brought into engagement with the sheet being transported by the gripper mechanism, and force it toward the stack of sheets'upon the table 15 substantially simultaneously with the disengagement of the fingers of'said gripper mechanism from the forward edge of the sheet. Said crank shaft 46 is actuated by the bell crank lever 4-8, one arm of which carries a rollerengaging the cam49 upon the shaft-16 and the trained to acontinued r'unof the press stoppage to remove the mechanism is used movement in a manner vide a plurality of anti-friction 68--'69 projecting from, the outer face of other arm of which is connected by the pitman 50 with the crank of said crank shaft 46. v

Said pitman 50 passes through a bracket 51' and is acted upon by the spring 52 act- The table 15 is sustained by'the chains or other suspension means 54- connected with opposite sides of the table at 55, and the,

other end of which is connected to winches 56. The table 15 is'adapted to be lowered by means of the winches 56 and said chains 54 through the medium of the worm wheel 57, the co-operating worm shaft 58, the 'enunder power when a stack of printed sheets of a maximum height after being accumulated thereon,-has been removed preparatory with which the delivery mechanism is associated. This restoring mechanism for the table consists of the bevelled gear 62 carried by the shaft of the guide sprocket wheel 20, a bevelled gear 63 adapted to be moved in and out of mesh with said gear 62 by the controlling handle 64., and a chain and sprocket mechanism 65 connecting the shaft of said gear 63"with the shaft carrying the hand wheel 61 and the gear 60. i

The table 15', has a considerable range of vertical movement to permit a continued run of the machine without the necessity for printed sheets from the table. substantial height, the dead weight of the load upon the table is considerable, so that it is essential 'to not onlyprovide'suspension means .ofsufiicient strength to sustain this load, but to guide the table in its vertical to prevent the tilting thereof and also to provide straightening devices entirely independent of the table and acting at all times adjacent the top of the stack, to ensure a proper stacking of the sheets as they are delivered to the table and avoid likelihood of the falling of the stack due to its becoming out of plumb.

The table 15 is provided, upon opposite sides thereof, with laterally extended slides 66 and 67 adapted to enter slide ways in the side frames of the machine, the slides being spaced apart as shown to afford clearance for the chains 54-. In addition to the spaced slides upon each side of the table 15, I prorollers said slides and adapted to engage the edge of the slide ways in which the slides move, said rollers, of each'set being so'spaced with gears 59 and'60 carried by said shaft,

As the stackof sheets attains a relation to each other. as to ensure against any tiltingaction of the table, laterally thereof, the slides 66 preventing forward and backward tilting of the table.

The:rollers 68-69 also ensure ease in the movement of the table. While other means may be provided to ensure the desired parallel movement of the table 15, that described has been found very effective in use.

The chains 54-. in passing from the winches 56 to the point of connection 55 with the table 15, pass about the guide sprockets 70-71 carried by each side frame of the machine.

lilounted in the frame of the machine in the vertical plane of the forward edge of the table 15 are stop fingers 72 which are carried by the pivotal shaft 78 acted upon by the spring 7 f, the action of which spring is controlled by the stop pin75, which construction is provided to permit a slight yielding of said stops 7 under the impact of the forward edge of a sheet of paper therewith, and a return movement carrying the sheet with the forward edge within the desired vertical plane. The shaft 73 does not have movement with the table 15, the stops 7 2 always occupying the same horizontal position, irrespective of the movements of the table.

The delivery mechanism of my invention is adapted for use with a high speed printing machine for use with either dry or dampened sheets of paper, although Ordinarily the printing is done upon dry sheets. \Vhile the manner of delivering the sheets upon the stack carried by the table 15 will ensure a fairly exact stacking, I find in actual practice, that it is desirable, particularly when using dry paper, to provide adjusting or straightening means acting upon each sheet as it is deposited upon the stack and also acting upon adjacent portions of the stack, so as to cause the corresponding edges of the different sheets to lie in the same vertical plane. This straightening mechanism in addition to shifting the sheet whenever necessary, will also tend to relieve the atmospheric pressure beneath each sheet as it is released by the gripper mechanism, so as to ensure its falling perfectly fiat upon the top of the stack.

The straightening mechanism above referred to comprises side plates 76-77 and arear plate 7 8, said plates respectively being acted upon by means which will simultaneously move them away from the stack as a sheet is being released or approaching the position where it will be released, and will be moved inwardly into engagement with the edges of the stack under spring pressure after the delivery of the sheet, and thus adjust-the sheet after it is positionedat the top of the stack and at the same time true up the adjacent portion of the stack. Said substantially plates, like the stops 72,-do no.t have vertical moven'ientwith thetable, but always occupy a position where they will be operativeadjacent the top of the stack irrespective of its height. The actuating means forboth side plates 76-77 is the same, so that a description of but one of these mechanisn'is is essential.

Carried-by each of the plates 76-77 are arms 79-79 slidably mounted in one side frame of the machine, each sumiorted by a guide bracket Each of the rods 79 carries a collar 81 acted upon by a spring 82 which has a normal tendency to thrust the rods 79 and the plate 76 or 77 inwardly of the side frame. Both arms 79 are rig idly secured to a frame 83, which frame also carries a slide Sl having a recessed portion adapted to be engaged by the cam carried by theoscillatory plate 8.6. The 2 rte 8 6 is actuated by means a cam 87 upon a bell crank lever 88, one arm of which carries an anti-friction roller coing with said cam, and the other arm ch is connected by means of the link 89 with said plate 86. Said link passes th ough a guide bearing 90 between which and the collar 91 upon said link, a spring 92 acts to normally actuate the plate in a manner to permit the spring 8:2 to function to impart movement. tothe plate 77. Corresponding :arts having a corresponding finiction are used in connection with the pl to 78, said parts being indicated in the dr: vings by corresponding reference numerals.

To ensure a simultaneous inward and outard movement of the rear plate 7 8, T sup port this plate from oppositely disposed slides 93 and 94 which are means ofthe cranks 95 and 96 carried by the shaft of the plates 86 respectively.

By a properdesign and set of the cams 8- the outward movement of the plates 7 6, and 7 8 may be so controlled as to occur simultaneously wvith the disengagement of the sheet by the gri iper mechanism, and the return or inward move ment thereof be timed so as to occur immediately following the depositing of the sheet upon the top of the stack. it will be observed that the inward movement of the plates is under the control of springs, so that said plates will automatically adaptthemselves to the edges of the stack of sheets. The operation of the herein described mechanism is substantially as follows Nhile the press is in operation, the conveyer chains 18 and 19 and the various wires 36 are driven by means of the gear i their rate of traverse being-the same as the peripheral speed of the'impression cyli der from which they receive the printed sheets. As each gripper mechanism reaches its operative relation to the said impression cylactuated by ltlil inder 11, the rollers upon the crank arm 32 will engage the cams 33 and raise the gripper fingers 30 from the co-operating platen 28 to receive the edge of the sheet from the gripper fingers upon the impression cylinder, the fall of said cams 33 permit-ting the fingers to close under the tension of the springs 31 upon the sheet and thus transfer it from the impression cylinder to said gripper mechanism, and the sub stantially horizontal top reach of the wires 36.

Thereafter the printed sheet will be car ried by said gripper mechanism to adjacent the table 15, the wires 36 supporting the sheet intermediate the chains 18 and 19 until the sheet passes upon the wheels 35, the recessed portions of which wheels will receive the bars 27 and 29 so as'to bring the top of the platen substantially flush with the perimeter of said wheels;

The round wires 36 small diameter,

travelling at the same speed as the sheet of paper, Will contact with but a very small area of the paper, amounting to practically a lineal contact, and will have no rubbing action thereon which would tend to smut the imprinter permit offsetting upon the carrier mechanism.

During the travel of the sheet both surfaces thereof will be exposed in substantially their entirety, to the action of the air thereon sothat by having thechains of sufficient length, the ink willbe sufficiently dry before it reaches a point above the table 15, to avoid any possible offsetting of any por tion of the impression after the sheet has been deposited uponthe stack carried by said table. 7 1 i Asthe gripper mechanism passes upon the horizontal reach of the chains 18 and 19 parallel with and above the table 15, the presser fingers 47 will be elevated to permit the passage of the bars 27 and 29 thereunder. v

As the rollers upon the armsv 32 engage the fixed cams 34, or substantially simultaneously withtheactuation ofjthe rod 29 and its gripper fingers as fa result of such engagement, the fingers 47 will bemovcd downwardly rapidly into engagement with the sheet to a point below'the' plane ofsaid gripper fingers, thus tending to force the sheet toward the top of the stack. Substantially simultaneously with the downward movement of said 'fingers,theside plates 76 and 77 will be moved toward the opposite side frames of the machine respectively," and. the rear plate 7 8 will be moved outwardly of the table 15, thus affording suflicient clearance at the top of the stack upon the table 15 to avoid the engagement of the edges of the sheet'w'ith said plates. Fur thermore, the outward movement of, the plates T6, 77 93 119 778 will tend to lfeduCe the air pocke s atmospheric pressure between the sheet beleased and disengaged from the gripper fin gers 30, it will, through momentum, engage the yieldable stops 72 atthe forward edge of the stack, its movement thus being checked without crumpling the edge of the sheet, and a return movement being imparted'to the sheet as the fingers resume their normal position, which may or may not bring the sheet in'the desired relation to the stack. I

Immediately following the delivery of a sheet upon the top of the stack, the cam 8'4" will be actuated t permit the cam plates 86 to have movement so that the side plates 76 and 77 and therear plate 78 may close upon the stack and true up the'sheet just delivered, with those sheets already on the stack, these plates during this movement not only engaging the sheet just delivered, but

7 a number of other sheets adjacent the top of v the stack, possibly of a thickness of three or four inches, so as tokeep the entire top of the stack perfectly straight and avoid the development of pressure'in the entire stack which might result in the bulging of thesheets in, or the toppling of, the stack.

It will be noted that the inward movement of the plates 76 and 77 is under the control of the spring 81, and that the same movement of the plate 78 is under the control of the spring 92, so that the pressure exerted by said plates will be sufiici'ently light to avoid distortion of a sheet while permitting the plates to automatically adjust themselves to the three edges of the stack uponwhich they respectively act, and thus I avoid any such positive application ofpressures which would tend tobulgethe sheets 1 in the stack.

any lateral coefiicient of l The circumference of thewheels 35 coincides with the distance between succeeding gripper mechanisms so that by providing cams designed and set as shown in the drawings, the presser fingers and the stacking plates will be actuated in perfect synchronism with the printing couple and Withthc various gripper mechanisms carriedby the chains 1 8"and 19. i

The table 15 or the top of the stack of sheets thereon should bemaintained at a sui'licient distance below the plane of movement of the horizontal reach of the gripper chains above theta'ble, to permit the proper functioning of the presser fingers fl'z, al though the flexibility of these permit them to yield increase they press the sheet being delivered directly upon the; top of thestack,

fingers Wlll As theheight of thest'a ck increases, the hand wheel 6.1 is used to-actuate the worm shaft 58 in a manner to lower the table for a sufiicient distance to provide space at the topof the stack for a number of sheets, the practice being ordinarily to lower the table three or four inches at aztime so as to permit a thousand or more sheets to be accumulated before it .is again necessary to use the hand wheel 61.

The range. of vertical movement of the table is suiiicientito accommodate. many thousands of sheets thereon before it is necessary to remove the stack or any portion thereof from said table.

.lVhen astack has been removed from the table, the gear 63 is made operative in.'relationto the gear 62 by means of the controlling handle (i l-so that with a continued run of. the press, the chainand sprocket mechanism '65iwill, through the gears 59 and 60, worm shaft 58 and worm gear 57, impart a return rotationi'to the winches 56 in a manner. to rapidly raise the table preparatory to a continued run of the press.

By providing, the. chain and sprocket mechanism 40, the wires 36 aredriven at thesame speed as-thechains 18 and 19, thus avoidi'ngfan'ypossible rubbing action of said wires upon the paper. I

The take up roller 41, the linksetQ and the set screw 43 are used to prevent the development of slack in said wires 36.

The variousguiles for the chains 18 and 19 are merely to limit the movement oil. the chains alnd the. gripper rnec-h'a'i sins carried d rect, lineal I It is? myint'ention t, p tion to the [precise details of construction shown in the' 'accom1 3a1'1ying drawings, being apparent that such may be variedv without departing'fro'm the spirit "a'nds'cope of the invention.

Having described the invention, 'what' I claim, as new lan'd desire to havepreteoted by Letters Patent, is

I l. A delivery mechanism for printing ma. chines embodying therein the. combination with a printing couple, of 'acollecting table i spaced away therefrom,- a eonveyer mechanism including. therein endless chains, fa plurality of platen bars carried thereby, gripper. fingers associated with each platenbar, guiding; means for said chains consisting of. sprocket wheels adjacent said printing couple, sprocket wheels below said first named sprocket wheels and! adjacent opposite ends or saidtable, and. intermediate sprocket. wheels, whereby said chains have an upper direct. reach, a lower return reach anda substantially horizontal reach parallel with, and above, said table, in which last reach the position of saidgrippers will be reversed in position as compared with when they are passing, along said upper direct reach, actuating means for said gripper fingers operative as said chains are passing from said lower return to said upper direct reach, and as said chains are passing from said reach parallel with the table to said return reach respectively and-means whereby lineal traverse is imparted to said chains in synchronism'with the peripheral traverse oi the members of the printing couple.

2. A. delivery mechanism for printing inachines embodying therein the combination with a printing couple, of a collecting table spaced away therefrom, a conveyer mech'a nism including therein endless chains extending from adjacent the printing couple and having reach thereofextending parallel with and above said collecting-table, a plurality of platen bars carried thereby, and gripper fingers associated with each platen bar and adapted to engage the forward edge of a sheet, actuating means ior said gripper fingers adjacent the printing couple and adjacent said table, means whereby lineal traverse is imparted to said chains in synchronism with the peripheral traverse of the members of the printing couple, and narrow supports for a sheet positioned'betweenand travelling with said chains below said bars and extending from adjacent the printing couple to adjacent the reach of the chain above said collecting table.

3. A delivery mechanism for printing niachines embodying therein the combination with a printing couple, of a eollee table spaced away therefrom,a plurality 1 glaten bars carried thereby, gripper fingers associ- 'ated witheach platen bar, guiding .ieans for said chains consis ing of sprocket wheel: adjacent said printing couple, sprocket wheels below said first named sprocket adjacentvopposite ends of said wheels and table, and intermediate sprocket whee, whereby said chains have an upper diiect reaeh a lower return reach and a substair tially horizontal reach parallel with, and

above, said table, in which last reach the position of saidcgrippers will be reversed in position as compared with when they are passing along said upper direct reach. actuating means for said gripper lingers operatiyeas saidv chains are passing from said l wer returnto said upper directreach. and

assaid chains, are passing from said reach parallel with the-table to said return reach A respectively, means whereby said table may be loweredwith relation to the reach of said chains parallel therewith, and means wherebv lineal traverse is imparted to said chains in synchronism with theperipheral traverse oi the membersof the printing couple.

A delivery mechanism for printing niachines embodying therein the combination with a printing couple, of a collecting table ion nism including therein endless chains,

spaced away therefrom, a conveyer mechai a plurality of platen bars carried thereby, gripper fingers associated'with each platen bar,

guiding means for said chains consisting of sprocket wheels. adjacent said printing couple, sprocket wheels below said first named sprocket wheels and adjacent oppositerends of said table, and intermediate sprocket wheel's, whereby said chains have an upper direct reach, a lower return reach and a substantially horizontal reach parallel with, and above, said table, in which direct reach, and as said chains are passing from said reach parallel with the table td said return reach respectively, means whereby said table may be lowered with relation to theYreach of said chains parallel-therewith, means whereby mechanical power may be applied to said meansfor lowering the table to rapidly raise the table towards said parallel reach of said chains and means whereby lineal traverse is imparted to said chains ,in synchronism'with the peripheral traverse. of the members of the printing couple; r

X 5. A delivery mechanism for'printing machines embodying therein the combination with a printing couple, of acollecting table spaced away therefrom, a conveyer mechanism including therein endless chains, a plurality of platen bars carried thereby, gripper fingers associated with each platen bar,

guiding means for said chains consisting of sprocket wheels adjacent said printing couple, sprocket wheels below said first named sprocket wheels and adjacent opposite endsof said table, and intern'iediate sprocket wheels, whereby said chains have an upper direct reach, a lower return reach and a substantially horizontal reach parallel with, and above, said table, in which last reach the position of said grippers will be reversed in position ascompared with when they are passingalong said upper direct reach. actuating means for said gripper lingersoperative as said chains are passing from said lower returnto said upper direct reach, andas said chains are passing from said reach parallel with the table to said return reach respectively and a geared con nection between the sprocket wheels adjacent the printing couple and one of the members Of the printing couple, wherebysaid chains are driven in synchronism with the peripheral traverse of themembers of the printing couple. a V

6. A delivery mechanism for printing machines embodying therein the combination with a printing couple, a collecting table spaced away therefrom, a conveyer 1nechanism including therein laterally spaced sprocket wheels adjacent the printing couple, and adjacent opposite ends of said collecting table, endless chains passing about said sprocket wheels, said last named sprocket wheels causing said chains to pass in a horizontal reach above said table, a plurality of platen bars, and gripper fingers associated with each platen bar and adapted to engage the forward edge of a sheet, carried by said chains, wheels adjacent the sprocket wheels at the beginning of the horizontal reach of said chains having recesses therein adapted to receive said bars, narrowsupports for a sheet between and travelling with said chains below said bars and extending from adjacent the printing couple to about said.

wheels, actuating means for said gripper fingers adjacent the printing couple and adjacent said table, and a geared connection between the sprocket wheels adjacent the printing couple and one of the members of 'the printing couple, whereby said chains are driven in synchronism with the peripheral traverse of the members of the printing couple. i

7. A delivery mechanism forprinting machines embodying therein the combination with a irintin eou Jle of a collecting table spaced away therefrom, means whereby said table may be lowered with relation to the delivery reach of said chains, a conveyer mechanism including therein endless chains extending from adjacent the printing couple and having a reach thereof extending parallel with and above said collecting table. a

plurality of platen bars carried thereby, and

gripper fingers associated with each platen bar and adapted to engage the forward edge of a sheet. actuating means for said gripper fingers adjacent the printing couple and ad jacent said table, straightening devices between the horizontal reach of'said chains and said table, and'adjacent the edges of said table, adapted to engage the edges of sheets of paper asdelivered to said table, means actuating said straightening devices, and means whereby lineal traverse is-imparted to said chains in synchronism with the 'pe lli) llii

ripheral traverse of the members of the I i printing couple. a

8 A. delivery mechanism for printing niachines embodying therein the combination with a printing couple, of a collecting table spaced away therefrom, means whereby said table may be lowered with relation to the delivery reach of said chains, a conveycr mechanism including therein endless chains extending from adjacent the printing couple and having a reach thereof extending parallel with and above said collecting table, a

plurality of platen bars carried thereby, and gripper fingers associated with each &

platen bar and adapted to engage the forward edge of a sheet, actuating means for said gripper fingers adjacent the printing couple and adjacent said table, straightening devices between the horizontal reach of said chains and said table, and adjacent the edges of said table, adapted to engage the edges of sheets or paper as delivered to said table, means moving said straightening devices away from the sheets upon said table substantially sin'iultaneously with the delivery of a sheet to said table, means moving said devices toward said sheet after it has been deposited upon the stack upon the table, and means whereby lineal traverse is imparted to said chains in synehronism with the peripheral traverse oi the members of the printing couple.

9. A delivery mechanism for printing niachines embodying therein the combination with a printing couple, of a collecting table spaced. away therefrom, a conveyer lllGlllflnism including therein endless chains, a plurality of pla-tenbars carried thereby, gripper fingers associated with each platen bar, guiding means for said chains consisting 0t sprocket wheels adjacent said printingcouple, sprocket wheels below said first named sprocket wheels and adjacent opposite ends of said table, and intermediate sprocket wheels, whereby said chains have an upper direct reach, a lower return reach and a substantially horizontal reach parallel with, and above, said table, in which last reach the position of said grippers will be reversed in position as compared with when they are passing along said upper direct reach, actuating means "for said gripper fingers operative as said chains are passing from said lower return to said upper direct reach, and as said chains are passing from said reach parallel with the table to said return reach respectively, presser fingers adapted to have movement across the plane of the horizontal reaches of said chains, means whereby said fingers will be forced toward said table substantially simultaneously with the. release of a sheet by gripper fingers carried by said chains, whereby each sheet will be forced toward the stack of sheets upon said table, and means whereby lineal traverse is imparted to said chains in synchronism with the peripheral traverse of the members of the printing couple.

10. A delivery mechanism "for printing machines embodying therein the combination with a printing couple, of a collecting table spaced away therefrom, a conveyor mechanism including therein endless chains, a plurality of platen bars carried thereby, gripper fingers associated with each platen bar, guiding means for said chains consisting of sprocket wheels adjacent said printing couple, sprocket wheels below said first named sprocket wheels and adjacent opposite ends of said table, and intermediate sprocket wheels, whereby said chains have an upper direct reach, a lower return reach and a substantially horizontal reach parallel with, and above, said table in which last reach the position or said grippers will be reversed in position as compared with when they are passing along said upper direct reach, actuating means for said gripper fingers operative as said chains are passing from said lower return to said upper direct reach, and as said chains are passing from said reach parallel with the table to said return reach respectively, stops adjacent and below the horizontal reach of said chains in a position to be engaged by the forward edge of a sheet when released by said gripper fingers, presser fingers adapted to have movement across the plane of the horizontal reaches of said chains, means whereby said lingers will be forced toward said table substantially simultaneously with the release of a sheet by gripper fingers carried by said chains, whereby each sheet will be forced toward the stack of sheets upon said table, and means whereby lineal traverse is impart-ed to said chains in synchronisin with the peripheral traverse of the members of the printing couple.

11. A delivery mechanism for printing machines embodying therein the combination with a printing couple, of a collecting table spaced away therefrom, a conveyer mechanism including therein endless chains, :1 plurality of platen bars carried thereby, gripper fingers associated with each platen bar, guiding means for said chains consisting of sprocket wheels adjacent said printing couple, sprocket wheels below said first named sprocket wheels and adjacent opposite ends of said table, and intermediate sprocket wheels, whereby said chains have an upper direct reach, a lower return reach and a substantially horizontal reach parallel with, and above, said table, in which last reach the position of said grippers willbe reversed in position as compared with when they are passing along said upper direct reach, actuating means for said gripper fingers operative as said chains are passing from said lower return to said upper direct reach, and as said chains are passing from said reach parallel with the table to said return reach respectively, stops adjacent and below the horizontal reach of said chains in a position to b engaged by the forward edge of a sheet when released by said gripper fingers, rectilineally movable plates upon opposite sides of said stops above saidtable, a rectilineally movable rear plate opposite said stops, presser fingers adapted to have movement across the plane of the horizontal. reaches of said chains, means whereby said fingers will be forced toward saidtable' substantially simultaneousl with the release of a sheet by gripper ngers carried by said chains, whereby each ward the stack of sheets upon said table, actuating means for said whereby substantially simultaneously Ixvith the downward movement of said presser fingers, said plates will be moved lecting table, a plurality of platen bars carried thereby, and gripper fingers associated with eaehplaten bar and adapted to engage I the forward edge of a sheet, actuating means for said gripper fingers adjacent the printingcouple and adjacent said table, stops adjacent and below the horizontal reach of said chains in a position to be en gaged by the forward edge of a sheet when released by said gripper fingers,'rectilincally movable plates upon'opposite sides of said stops above said table, a rectilineally movable rear plate opposit said stops, presser fingers'adapted to have movement across the plane of the horizontal reaches of said chains, means whereby said fingers will be forced toward said table substantially simultaneously with the release of a sheet by gripper fingers carried by said chains, whereby each sheet will be forced toward the stack of sheets upon said table,rarms carried by said first named plates having a recess therein, a rock shaft, cams carried thereby entering the recesses in said arms respectively, a crank arm carried by said shaft, slides supporting said rear plate, connections between said crank arm and said slides, a cam carried by and rotatable with the sprocket wheels for said chains, a bell crank lever acted. upon by said cam, springpressed connections between said lever and said rock shaft, said cam being so set that substantially simultaneously with the move ment of said presser fingers, said rock shaft will be actuated to impart simultaneous movement to all of said plates away from the stack upon said table, and said parts will be automatically restored to normal substantially simultaneously with the de posit of a sheet upon said table, and means sheet will be forced toplates respectively away fromthe stacked sheets upon said table, and will crank lever substantially whereby lineal traverse is imparted to said chains in synchronism with the peripheral traverse of the members of the printing couple. j

13. A delivery mechanism for printing machines embodying therein the combination with a printing couple, of a collecting table spaced away therefrom, a conveyer mechanism including therein endless chains extending from adjacent the printing couple and having a reach thereof extending parallel with and above said collecting table, a plurality of platen bars carried thereby, and gripper fingers associated with each platen bar and adapted to engage the forward edge of a sheet, actuating means for said gripper fingers adjacent the printing couple and adjacent saidtable, stops adjacent and below the horizontal reach of saidchains in a position to be engaged by the forward edge of a sheet when released by said gers, rectilineally-movable plates upon 0pposite sides of said steps above said table, a rectilineally movable rear plate opposite said stops, presser fingers adapted to have movement across the plane of the horizontal reaches of sald chains, a cam carried by and gripper fin-1 rotatable with a sprocket wheel for said chains, a bell crank lever acted upon thereby, a crank shaft carrying said presser fingers, a spring-pressed pltman connecting said bell crank lever and said rock shaft, said cam being so set as to actuate said bell simultaneously with 'the release of said gripperq fingers, whereby said presser fingers will be forced toward said table substantially simultaneously with the release of a sheet by the gripper fingers carried by said chains, whereby each sheet will be forced toward the stack of sheets upon said table, arms carried by said first named plates having a recess therein,

a rock shaft, cams carried thereby entering the, recesses, in said arms respectively, a crank arm carried by said shaft, slides supaortin said rear late connections between said crank arm and said slides, a cam carried by and rotatable with the sprocket wheels for said chains, a bell crank lever acted upon by said cam, spring-pressed conchronism with the peripheral traverse ofthe members of the printing couple.

14. A delivery mechanism for printing machines tionwitli'a printing couple, of a collecting table spaced away therefrom, a conveyer mechanism including therein endless chains extending from adjacent the printing couple ;and having a reach thereof extending paral- Mlel with and above said collecting table, a

' plurality of platen bars carried there :gripper fingers associated with each platen 1o whereby said j ously with the release of 1 j'acent and below "15' forward edge of a sheet when released by said bell crank lever said cam being so set as to actuate said bell y, and

bar and adapted to engage the forward edge of a sheet, actuating means for said gripper fingers adjacent the printing couple and adjac'ent said table, flexibly supported stops adthe horizontal reach of said chains in a position to beengaged by the said gripper fingers, rectilineally movable plates upon opposite sides of said stops above said table, a rectilineally movable rear plate opposite said stops, presser fingers adapted to have movement across the plane of the horizontal reaches of said chains, a cam carii ied by and rotatable with a sprocket wheel for said chains, a bellcrank lever acted upon thereby, a crank shaft'carrying said presser fingers, a spring-pressed pitman connecting and said rock shaft,

first named'plates havlng a recess therein, a

rock shaft; cams carried thereby entering "the recesses in said arms respectively, a

matically actuated to impart traverse is imparted to crank arm carried by said shaft, slides supporting said rear plate, connections between said crank arm l1ld.S2llCl slides, a cam carried by and rotatable with the sprocket a bell crank lever acted upon by said cam, spring-pressed connections between said lever and said rock shaft, said cam being ally simultaneously with the movement of so set that substantisaid rock shaft will be simultaneous movement to all of'said plates away from the stack upon said table, and said parts will be autore stored to normal substantially simultaneously with the deposit of a sheet uponsaid table, and means whereby lineal said chains in synsaid presser fingers,

chronism with the peripheral traverse of the members of the printing couple.

15. A delivery mechanism for printing machines embodying therein the combination withra printing couple, of a collecting table spaced away therefrom, a conveyer 'mechanism including therein endlesschains a plurality of platen bars carried thereby,

embodying therein the, combina- "bar, guiding means gripper fingers associated with each platen for said chains consisting of sprocket wheels adjacent said printin couple, sprocket wheels below said first named sprocl-tet wheels and adjacent opposite ends of said table, and intermediate sprocket wheels, whereby said chains have an upper directreach, a lowerreturn reach and a substantially horizontal reach parallel with, and above, said table, in which last reach the position of said grippers will be reversed in position as compared with when they are passing along said upper direct reach, a spring-actuated rock shaft'carrying said gripper lingers, a crank arm carried thereby, lined cams adjacent the printing couple and adjacent said table adapted to be by said crank arm to actuate said gripper lingers adjacent said printing couple and operative as they are about to enter said direct r arh and adjacent said table and operative before they leave said horizontal reach above said table, straightening devices between the'horizcntal reach of said chains and said table, and adjacent the edges of said table, adapted'to engage the edges of sheets of paper as delivered to said table, means moving said straightening devices away from the sheets upon said table substantially simultaneously with the delivery of a sheet to said table, means moving said devices toward said sheet after it has been deposited upon the stack npon the table, and

means whereoy lineal traverse is in'iparted to said chains in s -Jnchronisii with the peripheral traverse of the members of the printing couple.

16. A delivery mechanism for printing machines embodying therein the combination with a printing couple, of a collecting table smiced away therefrom, a conveyer n including therein endless chains a plan of platen bars carried thereby, gripper fingers associated with each platen bar, guiding .n'ieans for said chains consisting of sprocltet wheels adjacent said printing couple, sprocket wheels below said first named sprocket wheels and adjacent opposite ends of said table, and intermediate sprocket wheels, whereby said chains have an upper direct reach, a lower return reach and a substantially horizontal reach parallel with, and above, said table, in which last reach the position of said grippers will be reversed in position as compared with when they are passing along said upper directreach, a spring-actuated rock shaft carrying said gripper fingers, a crank arm carried thereby, fixed cams adjacent the printing couple and at jacent said table adapted to be engaged by said crank arm to actuate said gripper lingers adjacent said printing couple and operative as they are about to enter said direct reach and adjacent said table and operative before they leave said horizontal tion with a printing couple, of a collecting table spaced away therefrom, a conveyer reach above said table, presser fingers adapted to have movement-across the plane of the horizontal reaches of said chains, means whereby said fingers will be forced toward said tablesubstantially simultaneously with the release of a sheet by gripper fingers carried by said chains, whereby each sheet will be forced toward the stack of sheets upon said table, and means whereby iineal traverse is imparted to said chains in synchronism with the peripheral traverse of the members of the printing couple;

17. A delivery mechanism for printing machines embodying thereinthe combinamechanism including therein endless chains, a plurality of platen bars carriedthereby, gripper fingers associated with each platen bar, guiding means for said chains consisting of sprocket wheels adjacent said printing couple, sprocket wheels below said first named'sprocketwheels and adjacent opposite ends of said table, and intermediate sprocket wheels, whereby said chainshave an upper direct reach, a lower return reach and a substantially horizontal reach parallel with, and above, said table, in which last reach the position of said grippers will be reversed in posit on as compared with when they are passing along said upper direct engaged by said crank arm to actuate said reach, a spring-actuated rock shaft carrying said gripper fingers, a crankarm carried thereby, fixed cams adjacent the printing couple and adjac-ent saidtable adapted to be gripper f ngers adjacent said printing couple and operative as they are about to enter sa d direct reach and adjacent said table and operative before they leave said horizontal reach above said table, stops adjacent and below the horizonal reach of said chains in' a position to be engaged bythe forward edge of a sheet when, released by said gripper fingers, presser fingers adapted toha-ve movement across the plane of the horizontal I reaches of saldchams, means whereby said fingers will be forced toward said table substantially simultaneously with the release of Y a sheet by gripper fingers carried by said chains, whereby each sheet will be forced toward the stack of sheets upon said table, and

means whereby lineal traverse is imparted to said chains in synchronism with the peripheral traverse of the, members of the printing couple.

18. A' delivery mechanism for printing machines embodying therein the combination with a printing couple, of a collecting table spaced away therefronna conveyer mechanismincluding therein endless chains extending from adjacent the prlnting couple and having a reach thereof extending parallel with and above said collecting table, a

plurality of platen bars carried thereby, and

gripper lingers associated with each platen bar and adapted to engage the forward edge of a sheet, a spring-actuated rock shaft stops adjacent and below the horizontal s reach of said'chains in a position to be engaged by the forward edge of a sheet when released 'by said gripper fingers, rectilineally movable plates upon opposite sides of said stops above said table, a rectilineally movablerear plate oppositesaid stops, presser fingers adapted to have movement across the plane of the horizontal reaches of said chains, means whereby said fingers will be forced toward said table substantially simultaneously with the release of a sheet by per fingers carried by said chains, whereby each sheet will be forced toward the stack of sheets upon said table, actuating means gripfor said plates respectively whereby subtoward said stacked sheets after each fresh sheet has been deposited upon the stack, and means whereby lineal traverse isfimparted to said chains in synchronism with the'peripheral traverse of the members of the printing couple.

19. A delivery mechanism for printing machines embodying therein the combination with a printing couple, of a collecting table spaced away therefrom, a conveyer mechanism including therein endless chains extending from adjacent the printing couple and having a reach thereof extending parallel with and above said collecting table, a plurality of platen bars carried thereby, and gripper fingers associated with each platen bar and adapted to engage the forward edge of a sheet, actuating means for said gripper fingers adjacent the printing couple and adjacent said table, stops adjacent andbelow the horizontal reach of said chains in a position to be engaged by the forward edge of a'sheet when released by said grip- J61 fingers, rectilineally movable plates upon.

said sto s resser fin ers ada Jted to have movement across the plane of the horizontal reaches of said chains, means whereby said ringers will be forced toward said table substantially simultaneouslywith the release of a sheet by gripper fingers carried by said chains, whereby each sheet will be forced toward the stack of sheets upon said table, actuating means vIfor said plates respectively a plurality of and gripper ingers associated with each w ereby subs s multaneously with the downward mo "t niest of said nesser fingers, said plates will be moved away from the stacked sheets upon said table, will be moved toward said stacked sheets after each fresh sheet has been deposited upon the stack, means whereby lineal traverse is 20. A. delivery mechanism for printing machines embodying therein the combina tion with a printing couple, of a collecting table spaced away therefrom, a conveyer mechanism including therein endless chains extending from adjacent the printing couple and having a reach thereof extending parallel with and above said collecting table, platen bars carried thereby,

bar and adapted to engage the fora sheet, actuating means for said gripper fingers adjacent the printing couple and adjacent said table, stops adjacent and below the horizontal reach of said chains in a position to be engaged by the forward edge of a sheet when released by said gripper fingers, rectilineally movable plates upon opposite sides of said stops above said table, a rectilineally movable rear plate opposite said stops, presser fingers adapted to have movement across of the horizontal reaches of said chains, a cam carried by and rotatable with a sprocket wheel for said chains, a bell crank lever acted upon thereby, a crank shaft carrying said presser fingers, a spring-pressed pitman connecting said bell crank lever and said rock shaft, said cam being so set as to actuate said bell crank lever substantially simultaneously with the release of said gripper fingers, whereby said presser fingerswvlll be forced toward said table substantially simultaneously with the release of a sheet by the gripper fingers carried by said chains, whereby each sheet will be forced toward the stack of sheets upon said table, arms carried by said first named plates having a recess therein, a rock shaft, cams carried thereby entering the recesses in said arms respectively, a crank arm carried by said shaft, slides supporting said rear plate, connections between said crank arm and said slides, a cam carried by and rotatable with the sprocket wheels for said chains, a bell crank lever acted upon by said cam, springpressed connections between said lever and said rock shaft, said cam being so set that substantially simultaneously with the movement of said presser fingers, said rock shaft will be actuated to impart simultaneous platen ward edge of the plane movement toall of said plates away from the members of the printing couple, and

means whereby said table may be moved downwardly and away from the parallel reaches of said chains, said stops, said movable plates and said presser fingers.

21. A lelivery mechanism for printing machines embodying therein the combination with a printing couple, of a collecting table spaced away therefrom, a conveyer mechanism including therein endless chains extending from adjacent the printing couple and having a reach thereof extending parallel with and above said collecting table, a,

plurality of platen bars carried thereby, and gripper fingers associated with each platen bar and adapted to engage the forward edge of a sheet, actuating means for said gripper fingers adjacent the printing couple and adjacent said table, flexibly supported stops adjacent and below the horizontal reach of saidichains in a position to be engaged by the forward edge of a sheet when released by said gripper fingers, rectilineally mov-- able plates upon opposite sides ofsaid stops above said table, a rectilineally movable rear plate opposite said stops, presser fingers adapted to have movement acrossthe plane of the horizontal reaches of said chains, av

cam carried by and rotatable with a sprocket wheel for said chains, a bell crank lever acted upon thereby, a crank shaft carrying said presser fingers, a spring-pressed pitman connecting said bell crank lever and said rock shaft, said cam being so set as to actuate said bell crank lever substantially simultaneously with the release of said gripper fingers, whereby said presser fingers will be forced toward said table substantially simultaneously with the release of a sheet by the gripper fingers carried by said chains, and each sheet will be forced toward the stack of sheets upon said table, arms carried by said first named plates having a recess therein, a rock shaft, cams carried thereby entering the recesses in said arms respectively, a crank arm carried by said shaft, slides supporting said rear plate, connections between said crank arm and said slides, a cam carried by and rotatable with the sprocket wheels for said chains, a bell crank lever acted upon by said cam, spring-pressed connections between said lever and said rock shaft, said cam being so set that substantially simultaneously with the movement of said presser fingers, said rock shaft will be actuated to impart simultaneous movement to. all of said plates away fronr the stack upon said-table, and said parts will be automatic'ally restored to normal substantially simultaneously with the deposit of a sheet upon said table, means whereby lineal traverse is imparted to said chains in synchronism with the peripheral traverse of the members ofithe printing couple, and means whereby said table may be moved downwardly and away from the parallel reaches of said chains, plates and said presser fingers.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto afli Xed my signature, this 1st day of February, 1922.

FRANK C. MARQUARDT.

said stops, said movable 

